Inclusive and Affirming Ministries holds strongly that for social transformation to occur, partnering with different organisations and community partners are important. Working together allows for meaningful impact to be achieved, whilst supporting each other and learning from each other. The Civil Society and Community Partnerships programme uses this approach in the advancing of rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) communities locally, nationally and internationally.
In contributing towards the realisation of an African regional LBQ network, IAM collaborated with regional feminist activists in 2023 to coordinate a LBQGNC (Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer and Gender Nonconforming) preconference, which was hosted in Mauritius. The space became one for reflecting on movement building, identifying opportunities for regional partnerships and learning from cross-regional interventions. The space led to an in-depth conversation about the need to establish a network that will work to continue amplifying LBQ needs and cross-regional partnerships.
To this end, IAM continued as a member of the convening committee of the Southern Africa Diverse Community of Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer women (SADC LBQ). The network currently consists of partners from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. The SADC LBQ is part of the Global Lesbian Coalition that was launched on International Lesbian Day.
Keep checking out our page for more opportunities from the SADC LBQ network.
